Newcastle Club Focus – Magpies seek to overturn 39-year hoodoo at Old Trafford
Newcastle plays the second match of their Manchester double-header looking for a better result than their previous visit to the North West. Last weekend the Magpies saw their long standing unbeaten run come to an end against Manchester City and now face a daunting trip to Old Trafford. Only four points separate the two teams in the league table although Newcastle has a poor record at the home of the Premier League champions.
Newcastle should be able to name a stronger side than the one fielded against Manchester City last weekend. Alan Pardew has been given a triple injury boost with Cheik Tiote, Gabriel Obertan and Leon Best all fit to face the Red Devils. Tiote is the most likely to start the game with the Magpies missing his defensive solidarity against Manchester City. Sammy Ameobi is unlikely to start again on the right of midfield so Danny Guthrie and Obertan could both be in line to start there. The move reflects more on the need for experience than Ameobi’s personal performance last weekend. Pardew must also decide whether to keep Hatem Ben Arfa in the team or reunite his prolific strike duo of Best and Demba Ba. Ben Arfa showed glimpses he was back to his best at the Etihad Stadium and also showed a desire to work hard for the team by tracking back.
Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground with the Magpies’ last win there coming way back in 1972. Almost 40 years on some may feel that Saturday’s game represents their best chance in many years to finally end the winless run. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have been solid if unspectacular in recent weeks grinding out a series of 1-0 victories. Wayne Rooney is doubtful after he missed Manchester United’s midweek Champions League tie due to a hip injury. Newcastle fans will be hoping he remains sidelined as the striker has a prolific scoring record against their club with nine goals in 13 games.
Alan Pardew believes his side can spring a shock at Old Trafford despite their long running hoodoo. His side were able to craft some chances against Manchester City and if they had scored first it could have been a different game. Backing his side to cope with the pressure of facing the most successful side in England, he said: "If you are going to Old Trafford against the quality of player and the atmosphere that's created, of course you are going to find it very, very difficult. The odds are that you are not going to get many victories, and 1972 suggests that maybe we are due one.” Danny Simpson and Gabriel Obertan are both in line to face their former team if selected.
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